APRIL 1 TO .TUNE 30, 1921. 55 



flavor of the I'l'iiit is subiu-id and sliyiitly acrid, roseinldin.^- (liat of some of 

 tlie nortlieni haws (Crataegus). 



"This phmt has been used at Loja as a stock on which to graft the apple, 

 according to l>r. Kanion Eguiguren. It is introduced for trial as a stock plant 

 in the United States." (Fopenoe.) 



63486. DiGiTARiA ExiLis (Kippist) Stapf. Poacese. Fundi. 



From Kaduna, Nigeria. Africa. Seeds purchased from I'. H. Lamb. ]>i- 

 rector of Agriculture, northern Provinces. Received March 28, 1921. 



" This grass in a single season's testing has proved remarkably promising 

 as forage for our Southern States. In the northern Provinces of Nigeria it 

 seems to be known under the name of acha.'" (C. V. Piper.) 



53487. AcROcoMiA sclkrocarpa Mart. Phoenicacese. 



Macauba palm. 



From Ilorqueta, Paraguaj-. Seeds procured by Tliomns K. (iwynn. Re- 

 ceived IMay 4, 1921. 



" Mbocaya (coco). The coco, from the roots up, is a most valuable plant. 

 When very young the roots can be used as mnndioca. When matured, the stem, 

 from a foot or two above the roots toward the bud of the plant, makes 

 excellent starch, which is just as good as that furnished by the mandioca plant; 

 moreover, this part of the plant yields nourishing feed, without any prepara- 

 t.on, for all kinds of livestock and fowls. The leaves make thread and twine 

 from which the Indians make hammocks that for endurance are par excellence. 

 The coco has a long, straight body, sometimes SO feet in height, and from its 

 top sends out its long, feathery, waving leaves. The fruits are formed at 

 the base of tlie leaves like huge bunches of gr;,pes From tv\-o to four bunches 

 are produced every year by a single tree. The oil from the kernel is better 

 than any olive oil to be found in this country, and the soap made from it its 

 equal to any toilet soap in use. Tlie one drawback to this palm is the 

 thorns on the stems of the leaves and on the trunk. Sometimes, however, 

 the trunk is entirely free from- thorns, especially when very tall nnd in its 

 full vigor. The leaves also furnish feed for stock ; in times of drought when 

 pasture fails the natives fell the trees for their horses and cattle and split 

 open the trunks so that the cattle may eat the pith." (Gwymi.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 51742. 



63488. Vaccinium meyenianu^i Klotzsch. Vacciniacea\ 



From Hawaii. Seeds collected by .1. F. Rock, Agricultural p]xplorer of the 

 Department of Agriculture. Received June 11, 1921. 



" Collected on Isoorora Hill. Northwestern District. Rritish Guiana, in ^lay, 

 shrub 15 feet in height, native to the mountains of Hawaii, related to the ohelo 

 berry {^'accini^(vl reticulatum Smith), and loaded with bright, cherrylike 

 berries which are Iirilliant red for several months in the year. It grows at an 

 altitude of about 4,000 to 5.000 feet and is e.specally abinidant al)out the region 

 of the Volcano Kilauea. The berry is less well known than the ohelo berry. 

 Owing to the bright-red color of the berries they have been avoided for fear 

 of their being poisonous. They are much .iuicier than the ohelo berries. l)ut 

 are often slightl.v bitter. Some, however, are SAveet and del clous. The plant 

 is peculiar to the Hawaiian Islands." {lioilc.) 



53489. Clusia sp. Clusiacese. 



From Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana. Seeds presented by R. Ward, 

 super! ntendent, Botanic Gardens. Received June 9, 1921. 



"Collected on Isoorora Hill. Norlhwestern District, British Guiana, in May, 

 1921." {Ward.) 



The Clusias are opposite-leaved trees or shrubs, usually with roseate Uowers. 

 native to tropical America. They may be of value as ornamentals. 



